[ANN] Introducing LoveBitcoins.org – Driving 1 MILLION Bitcoin Users in 2012

[BitPay Business Solutions]

 
Today we are proud to announce a new outreach effort to find and convert new Bitcoin users.  I gave a preview of this during my presentation in Prague.  Well, we are now live!
 
http://lovebitcoins.org
 
Our goal is to aggressively advertise and reach out to new potential users, and convert them to becoming Bitcoin users.  We will target Libertarian groups, Ron Paul supporters, foreign students, immigrant workers, gold and silver bugs, international business travelers, and more.  The site will spend money on advertising the usability of Bitcoins as an alternative to PayPal, debit cards, Western Union, and wire transfers.
 
What it is:
A simple place for new users to get started
Focus on the ways to USE Bitcoins
Mostly geared to consumer users, but will have info for businesses also
A place to direct the media and reporters
 
What it is not:  
A Wiki or library all about Bitcoins
A directory for Bitcoin sites
Anything too technical in nature
Promoting Bitcoin as any type of Buy-and-Hold investment
 
We expect this site to start seeing high traffic starting in January, as we will be doing a special promotion with the man himself, Max Keiser!  Max is committed to using his TV, radio, and internet appearances towards helping us reach our goal of 1 million users.  
 
If you have a Bitcoin business, and you would like to be featured on this high-traffic website, click on the link that says “Become a Member.”
 
If you are an Individual and would like to have your name listed as a supporter on our site, click on the link that says “Become a Member.”

I chose the 1 million goal for several reasons:
- it will make any bans or fines irrelevant
- it will push larger businesses to adopt
- it will gain critical mass to snowball from

By the end of 2012, expect to see digital wallets from Apple, Google, and Facebook.  However, right now, they have NO product, and we do.  The next 12 months are perfect for Bitcoin.  So if you see anyone, and I mean anyone, that is interested in a digital wallet, let's grab them.  Grab them All!
 
My main project between now and January 1st is getting some starter kits ready for new users that will be coming from Max.  We all realize that Bitcoin is not ready for grandma, but it IS ready to start expanding beyond the group of mostly unix hackers we have now.
 
I am building starter kits for people of different skill levels.  If you would like to contribute ideas, please feel free to reply to this thread, or contact me directly.  I want to put the most effort into the blue and black sections, and keep it as non-technical as possible.  I do not think the technology is ready for the green users just yet.

[bbit]

Now, this is what I'm talking about ^^    This is exactly what the community needs! great job Bit-Pay! 

[ineededausername]

It looks pretty bad when you have no digital wallets recommended for "beginners."
However, I love the idea of this kind of Bitcoin Foundation.

[BitPay Business Solutions]

It looks pretty bad when you have no digital wallets recommended for "beginners."
However, I love the idea of this kind of Bitcoin Foundation.

That's because as of today, there are no wallets on the market that would meet the criteria for beginners.  The reason is highlighted in RED in the chart. Wallet development is key for this effort!  We have plenty of exchanges, but not enough wallets. 

[cunicula]

I would put more work/thought into this before promoting it. What you have is much too complicated and text heavy. You are asking users to make too many choices.

My model: Make some intriguing claims, put up some self-explanatory images and videos, invite people to play around with a bitcent, explain how to take the bitcent to a client, explain how to take the bitcent from a client to Mt. Gox.

e.g Let them javamine for a bitcent, stored on your site, and then play a simple gambling game. For example, minesweeper for bitcents.

Describe the steps of cashing out from the site to a client. Direct people to one client.  Walk them through the use of this client.

Direct people to one exchange, walk them through the steps of this one exchange. Solicit sponsorship from the exchange, use sponsorship to subsidize people playing minesweeper.

[ahbritto]

Max won't be promoting this till January.  So, we have time to improve it.

We are working with exchanges and wallet makers to improve the user experience.

Running a wallet service in the US is problematic unless you have money transmitter licenses.

I think it's problematic introducing newbies to the concept of mining.  It doesn't fit in with using Bitcoin as a currency.  For most people, mining is something they can easily skip.

[deltanine]

My model: Make some intriguing claims, put up some self-explanatory images and videos, invite people to play around with a bitcent, explain how to take the bitcent to a client, explain how to take the bitcent from a client to Mt. Gox.

e.g Let them javamine for a bitcent, stored on your site, and then play a simple gambling game. For example, minesweeper for bitcents.

Describe the steps of cashing out from the site to a client. Direct people to one client.  Walk them through the use of this client.

Direct people to one exchange, walk them through the steps of this one exchange. Solicit sponsorship from the exchange, use sponsorship to subsidize people playing minesweeper.

Agree 100%.

[BitPay Business Solutions]

thanks for the feedback guys.  Our challenge is the simple problem where we cannot assume that "one size fits all". 

what wallet do we use?  well, it depends on their skill level. 

What exchange do we use?  well, it depends on their country.

I would really like to make it even simpler than it is now, with less text and options, but unfortunately Max reaches people all over the world.  So he sends everyone to one place, and we direct the people from there.

[cunicula]

thanks for the feedback guys.  Our challenge is the simple problem where we cannot assume that "one size fits all".  

what wallet do we use?  well, it depends on their skill level.  

What exchange do we use?  well, it depends on their country.

I would really like to make it even simpler than it is now, with less text and options, but unfortunately Max reaches people all over the world.  So he sends everyone to one place, and we direct the people from there.

Your main goal should be to capture people's imagination and suggest some first steps. A 4x4 table is not the way!

Clever people do their own research. Refer the experts to other resources.

[Mike Hearn]

Hmm, I'm not sure how displaying only native currencies reduces your Bitcoin risk. For beginners you really want there to be no FX risk at all? How is that possible short of issuing USDcoins, EURcoins that use the same algorithms but are backed by a central bitbank of some kind?

[BitPay Business Solutions]

Hmm, I'm not sure how displaying only native currencies reduces your Bitcoin risk. For beginners you really want there to be no FX risk at all? How is that possible short of issuing USDcoins, EURcoins that use the same algorithms but are backed by a central bitbank of some kind?

good point.  I guess technically it's never holding any bitcoins, as opposed to not displaying them.  Meaning, deposit $100 in fiat and let it sit there in the wallet as $100.  Don't buy any Bitcoins because if the value drops by 20%, suddenly you only have $80 worth of buying power for your $100.  That will piss off new users more than anything!

The idea is to get people to start using bitcoin wallets, without any volatility risk or understanding how bitcoin works.  When they need to send bitcoins, just have the wallet buy them at market price at the moment they need to be sent.  The Bitcoin price becomes irrelevant at that point.

People keep fiat in PayPal all the time.  A decent bitcoin wallet can offer the same.  However, the usability is not there yet, but its something to aim for in 2012.  Let's just say it this way: "Green is for Grandma."

[istar]

I would put more work/thought into this before promoting it. What you have is much too complicated and text heavy. You are asking users to make too many choices.

My model: Make some intriguing claims, put up some self-explanatory images and videos, invite people to play around with a bitcent, explain how to take the bitcent to a client, explain how to take the bitcent from a client to Mt. Gox.

e.g Let them javamine for a bitcent, stored on your site, and then play a simple gambling game. For example, minesweeper for bitcents.

Describe the steps of cashing out from the site to a client. Direct people to one client.  Walk them through the use of this client.

Direct people to one exchange, walk them through the steps of this one exchange. Solicit sponsorship from the exchange, use sponsorship to subsidize people playing minesweeper.

Yes, it really needs some an attention grabbing and selling headline.

How can I use Bitcoins

Its no good. Since it does not communicate why a user should get involved with Bitcoins and does not arouse curriosity.
It sounds to boring.

Its a great headline to use once a prospect is allready interested in Bitcoins.

You should also speak to your subject as in.

How you can use Bitcoins.

Me? Yes you...
(How can I, is not as effective as you since it sound a little like you are speaking about yourself.)

Its allready better. But still not good enough.

Even better would perhaps be.

Why you will use Bitcoins

Now, this one just forces you to watch the content.
What do they mean? I´m not going to use bitcoins...What are they talking about...

Or

Why you will love Bitcoins

Here you have an emotional word, we imply that they will not only use them, but also love using them.

Though, since once you click play you have a much better headline/ start of the video.

Whats so great about Bitcoins

This one makes you much more curious.

If possible make something like that the headline.

Here is some good advice.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2011/06/29/five-copywriting-errors-that-can-ruin-a-company-website/

And here are some more.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/types-of-propaganda-techniques.html

You might also want to get a copy of some good books such as
Tested advertising methods and read it.
(Recommended by John caples.)

Though if you get that book, take some advices with a pinch of salt.
Such as the preference for long texts, people are much more stressed today.
Short messages gets more readers on the web.

Also images are very important...

[cunicula]

Is your campaign an advertisement for bit-pay or for bitcoin?
Why all the support behind externally hosted wallets?
Isn't external hosting how the majority of thefts and frauds have happened so far?
How does external hosting make things easier for anyone?
Why recommend external hosting to beginners?

[BitPay Business Solutions]

Why you will love Bitcoins

This is perfect.  The video was made a few months ago.  when we get time and money to redo it, This will be in it.  Thanks!

[BitPay Business Solutions]

Is your campaign an advertisement for bit-pay or for bitcoin?
Why all the support behind externally hosted wallets?
Isn't external hosting how the majority of thefts and frauds have happened so far?
How does external hosting make things easier for anyone?
Why recommend external hosting to beginners?

The idea is that the general public does not have the security skills needed to run the official client.  But they can still take advantage of the benefits of Bitcoins.

I would argue that a proper external host is more secure than the average person's computer.  And if the person is a windows user and surfs the internet looking for free porn, well then an external host is definitely safer.

[Jan]

BitcoinSpinner was designed to be as simple as possible while NOT being a bitcoin bank, and was tailored for mass adoption.

• The app has the private keys -> no one can run away with your coins
• A server manages the block chain -> No block chain downloading, and the app is ready for use immediately

In the OP list this would fit for Intermediate users, not beginners. However, look at how easy this is to spread:

Setting: 2 guys meet on a street corer. Both have an Android phone, and one has BitcoinSpinner and a few BTC.
1. Fred: Hey, wanna learn about Bticoin?
2. Joe: Sure, what do I do?
3. Fred: Download BitcoinSpinner from the Android Market
4. Joe (takes less than a munite): Done.
5. Fred: Let me scan that QR code of yours and send you 3 Bitcoins
6. Joe (5 seconds later): My app says that they are already in transit.
7. Fred: Yes, and in 10 minutes you can repeat what I just did with the next guy you meet.

I'll see if I can make a simple video with the above, however I am not a natural when it comes to video.

[Gabi]

Nice job!

Sure, the site still look a bit not completed, but it's a good start

Now make it better and put much more links, to the "official" bitcoin website and to the wiki

[BitPay Business Solutions]

BitcoinSpinner was designed to be as simple as possible while NOT being a bitcoin bank, and was tailored for mass adoption.

• The app has the private keys -> no one can run away with your coins
• A server manages the block chain -> No block chain downloading, and the app is ready for use immediately

In the OP list this would fit for Intermediate users, not beginners. However, look at how easy this is to spread:

Setting: 2 guys meet on a street corer. Both have an Android phone, and one has BitcoinSpinner and a few BTC.
1. Fred: Hey, wanna learn about Bticoin?
2. Joe: Sure, what do I do?
3. Fred: Download BitcoinSpinner from the Android Market
4. Joe (takes less than a munite): Done.
5. Fred: Let me scan that QR code of yours and send you 3 Bitcoins
6. Joe (5 seconds later): My app says that they are already in transit.
7. Fred: Yes, and in 10 minutes you can repeat what I just did with the next guy you meet.

I'll see if I can make a simple video with the above, however I am not a natural when it comes to video.

Jan - this looks VERY promising.  I will download it and investigate.  Thanks!

[DeepBit]

Most of your recommended "groups" are not storing private keys which is wrong IMHO.
I would want the opposite. May be create a fund for hiring some programmers to create first fully-featured light client :)

Just remember - one of the top priority bitcoin feature is that no one controls YOUR money. Not really true with "wallet managing" sites even if they can't move user's coins without his password/key part.

The idea is that the general public does not have the security skills needed to run the official client.

The current "official" client is not suitable for plain users. Not because it's too dangerous or skills required, but because plain user doesn't wants to 1) wait a couple of days for the first launch, 2) keep 1+ Gb of chain data.
Wrong solution: spoil the fun by using online wallets.
Correct solution: create a light client.
Really, we need more different client applications.

[BitPay Business Solutions]

Correct solution: create a light client.
Really, we need more different client applications.

I agree.  I would like to replace what's on the site now, with something like you describe.

A mobile wallet client should contain the private keys, but not the blockchain.  Keys should be exportable and able to be backed up.  Nothing like that exists today, from what I know, so rather than have an empty table I had to recommend something.